This might become an annual trip, last year we visited Bakuriani (A Trip to Bakuriani ) and this year too.

Bakuriani 2017akuriani

Bakuriani is one of three Georgian ski resorts (the others are Gudauri and Mestia). We left Tbilisi on Friday morning with some of Khato’s colleagues and 3 children, in a Mitsubishi Delica dependably driven by Dato. I don’t ski, but I can still enjoy the snowy landscape of Bakuriani.

We took Ana, our granddaughter; Bakuriani has a park with numerous activities, Ana liked being flung into the air on an aero-bungy maxi trampoline thingy…

Ana in the air

Bakuriani has three ski lifts, last year we went up to the first level, this year we went to the top for the inevitable photo opportunity.

Group photo

at the top

Back in Bakuriani, Ana had a lot of fun descending a small slope on a snow sled.

We had fun walking in the snow, breathing the fresh mountain air and taking lots of wintry photos.

Ford F150 Raptor (Hot wheels) and VW Type 181 (Matchbox)

On the return to Tbilisi on Sunday, we made a detour to visit Zedazeni Monastery, located on the Zedazeni mountain in the hills of Saguramo overlooking Tbilisi. The monastery dates back to the 6th century.

Zedazeni Monastery

It was a pleasant break, a chance to see some snowy vistas and have some rest, away from the daily hustle and bustle.

Located at 1700metres above sea level in the Caucasus Mountains, Bakuriani is one of three ski resorts in Georgia (the others being Gudauri and Mestia). I don’t ski but went with Khato and her colleagues to see some snow and breathe the pine fresh air.

our group

Nine of us went from Tbilisi, including the driver Dato. We went in a Mitsubishi Delica, ideal transport for nine in areas where 4 x 4 is a boon. We arrived on Friday evening and in Georgian style we began our stay with a supra (Georgian feast).

Friday Night Supra

On Saturday morning we went to the slopes in town, where Ana had fun sledding.

Ana sledding

Tamuna had a go at skiing.

Tamuna on skis

Khato drove a snowmobile, an experience she described as “magaria” (Great). After a circuit with her instructor, she took me around riding pillion.

Khato drives a snowmobile

In the afternoon we ventured higher, where it was Ana’s turn to ride a snowmobile.

Ana rides a snowmobile

The snow was deep, it was a pity we didn’t have rackets on our boots.

Trudging through deep snow

We took a cable car up to yet higher slopes, where there was a cafe and a great view.

mountain view

We could also watch the experts descending the slopes speedily on their skis.

ski slopes

The day finished with the inevitable supra. The following day it was snowing.

Our group in the snow

Ana was ready for some more experiences and had a ride in a snow buggy driven by Tamuna and then a ride on horseback.

Then it was time to venture downhill to the monastery at Timotesubani.

Khato in front of Timotesubani Church

Timotesubani Church was constructed during the “Golden Age” of medieval Georgia under Queen Tamar (1184-1213). Unfortunately the church was closed.

Ana, Oxana, Tamuna and Khato at the bells of Timotesubani Church

From Timotesubani it is a short trip to Borjomi, where we tried the famous waters. The Borjomi springs were discovered by the Imperial Russian military in the 1820s. They were made famous throughout the Russian Empire, making Borjomi a popular tourist destination. The history of the brand is closely associated with the Russian imperial dynasty of Romanov. By the 1890s, Borjomi was bottled in the Georgian estates of Grand Duke Mikhail of Russia. After the Russian Revolution of 1917 and subsequent Soviet takeover of Georgia, the Borjomi enterprise was nationalized and the water was made into a top Soviet export. It was Stalin’s favourite mineral water.

Drinking “Vahkhtanguri” Style

Before heading back to Tbilisi we found a restaurant for an over-long supra, where we met some Filipino tourists. They had seen snow for the first time in their lives earlier that day and were excited like small children seeing snow for the first time.